Scholes: Yellow peril won't faze me

PAUL SCHOLES insists he won’t be motivated by the heartbreak of missing out on one Champions League final when the Red Devils attempt to match the achievement of the treble-winning side by securing another in Milan tomorrow night.

PAUL SCHOLES insists he won’t be motivated by the heartbreak of missing out on one Champions League final when the Red Devils attempt to match the achievement of the treble-winning side by securing another in Milan tomorrow night.

The midfielder was one of the star performers as Sir Alex Ferguson’s men overcame Juventus in Turin to book their place in the 1999 showpiece.

However, Scholes – along with captain Roy Keane – was a mere spectator as Peter Schmeichel lifted the trophy in Barcelona, after picking up a needless booking in the clash with Carlo Ancelotti’s outfit.

But the Salford-born playmaker – who is again just one yellow card away from suspension – rejects any notion that he will be more motivated to reach the final because of his past misfortune.

One of the game’s most straightforward individuals, Scholes assesses the situation confronting him with a refreshing lack of sentimentality.

“I don’t think of it being more important to get through because of what happened to me last time,” he said.

“It is a major tournament, one that every team in Europe wants to be involved in.

“It still feels the same as the semi-final was in 1999. We all want to get there and we all want to win it if we do.”

A more pertinent point, although one that almost certainly escapes the Scholes radar as well is that, at 32, time is running out for one of the finest English players of his generation to make an indelible mark on the wider game.

Six times a Premiership winner already, Scholes was a major influence behind the remarkable win at Everton on Saturday that will almost certainly ensure he finishes the season with a seventh championship medal in his pocket.

England coach Steve McClaren still shakes his head with a mixture of disbelief and frustration at Scholes’ refusal to countenance a return to international combat.

That means any future success the Salford-born player enjoys will be exclusively at club level, and – barring any late transfer to his beloved Oldham – with United.

Scholes is not the type to start making any bold statements about what the Red Devils will achieve in Milan but he does recognise a couple of positive signs.

Seven of the XI which started in the San Siro when United were beaten by the same opponents in the first knockout round two years ago are likely to be in Ferguson’s side this week.

Crucially, as well as Scholes and fellow veteran Ryan Giggs, the number includes star youngsters Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney.

And, while a repeat of the 1-0 defeat United suffered on that occasion would see Milan through, Scholes is hopeful of a more positive outcome.

“It will help having been there before,” he said.

“We know what we are facing.

“What happened a couple of years ago was a big disappointment. But the likes of Ronaldo and Rooney are a couple of years older now.”

Ferguson is likely to stick to his attacking philosophy as injury doubts persist over his defence.

First-choice central defensive partners Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic could be involved but neither can be assured of full match fitness.

Vidic in particular can hardly be expected to reach his peak given he has not played since dislocating his collarbone against Blackburn at the end of last month.

The results of a scan the Serbian is due to have on the injury will determine whether he travels with the United squad, with Ferguson declaring “we will have a decision to make”, if the news is positive.

In all likelihood though, the best Ferguson can expect from Vidic is to bolster the bench in a tie where Scholes feels plenty of thrills and spills remain after last week’s five-goal epic.

“We never seem to do things the easy way, so there is probably more excitement to come,” said the midfielder.

“The goal we scored in the last minute of the first game certainly gave us a boost and I suppose there is a possibility it might disheartened Milan a little bit.

“I can’t really see that happening though. It is going to be a very tough game. I just hope we can do a bit better than we did last time.”